‘Caratacus,’ Plautius continued,’may well be amongst those who escaped across the ford. It is of little consequence. There’s not much he can do with a handful of men.’

Narcissus frowned. ‘I hate to split hairs, General, but to me a handful of men implies a somewhat smaller number than several thousand.’

‘Maybe,’ Plautius conceded with a shrug, ‘but on our scale of operations it will not cause us any concern.’

‘So I can report to the Emperor that the campaign is over?’

Plautius did not answer, and glanced quickly at the legate, a warning look. Before the conversation could continue a slave arrived with the wine and carefully and quietly set the bronze tray down on the table. He poured a honey-coloured liquid from an elegant decanter into the three silver goblets and, setting the decanter down, he turned and backed out through the entrance. Vespasian waited for the others to take their goblets before he reached for the last one. The silver was cool to his touch and when he held it under his nose a rich aroma filled his nostrils.

‘It has been chilled,’ Plautius explained. ‘In the river. I thought that after the heat of the day’s battle some soothing refreshment was well deserved. A toast then.’ He raised his goblet. ‘To victory!’

‘To victory,’ said Vespasian.

‘To victory . . . when it comes.’

The general and the legate stared at the Imperial Secretary as he slowly downed his drink and set the goblet lightly upon the table.

‘A fine refreshment indeed! I shall have to get the recipe before I return to Rome.’

‘How soon will you go?’ Plautius asked bluntly.

‘When the campaign is over. The moment I can report to the Emperor that we have ended organised resistance to Rome in the heartland of this island. When that is achieved the Emperor will be able to face his enemies in the senate knowing that they know that victory has been achieved. We cannot afford to have any tongues whispering that the war is still unresolved here in Britain. I have spies in your legions, and so do the Emperor’s enemies. It is up to you to make sure they have nothing to report that can be used against Claudius.’

Narcissus looked directly at the general, who nodded slowly. ‘I understand.’

‘Good. Then it’s time we were honest with each other. Tell me, how do things stand after today’s . . . battle? Assuming Caratacus still lives.’

‘If he has escaped then he will need to retire and lick his wounds. I imagine he’ll head for some fortification we haven’t discovered yet. He’ll let his men recover, pick up any stragglers and rearm his forces. He’ll also try and recruit more men, and send envoys to the other tribes to win more allies.’